Pressure has eased on Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen after the Kentucky win, but there is still tons of chatter. As we’ve mentioned previously, if they make a move, expect ULL’sMark Hudspeth to get first call.

Mack Brown’s future at Texas could hinge on the Baylor game. A bad loss could spell the end – even if the Horns finish 9-3.

It’s no secret that their top target is Nick Saban. Other early names to watch include Art Briles, Jimbo Fisher, Charlie Strong and Jon Gruden.

Speaking of Gruden… This year could finally be the year he returns to coaching. However, the most likely landing spot may be his old stomping ground. There’s lots of chatter Gruden could return to the Raiders with full control over the front office.

Early names at Florida Atlantic include two first-year offensive coordinators with strong south Florida ties — Miami’sJames Coley and Cincinnati’sEddie Gran. Gran was a serious candidate when Carl Pelini was hired.

Expect staff changes at Appalachian State.

If a move is made to get rid if Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia, don’t be surprised if Rich Rod is a candidate to return home. It would definitely be interesting to watch the fan base’s reaction if that took place.

The Florida International job could open after just one year under Ron Turner.

There is major pressure building to oust Bo Pelini at Nebraska. He needs to win, badly. If he goes, former Husker quarterback and current Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost could be a candidate, although most think he needs a little more experience.

At USC, Jack Del Rio is still very much in the mix. Fresno State’sTim DeRuyter is also getting some attention as a fall back option.

Most believe Pat Haden’s early targets will be bigger names and will likely have NFL experience.

At Toledo, second-year coach Matt Campbell has signed extension through the 2017 season.

Campbell was promoted from offensive coordinator when Tim Beckman took the job at Illinois. The Rockets are 14-7 under his watch, including a 5-3 record and 3-1 in the MAC this year.

There are lots of rumors that Boise State’sChris Petersen may finally be ready to finally make a move.

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]nce one of the sexiest names in college football, Rich Rodriguez wasn’t exactly a hot commodity when he was hired by Arizona.

Fired at Michigan in 2010, Rodriguez spent 2011 out of football. Once seen as a sure thing hire, three tumultuous seasons in Ann Arbor and a year away from the game made him a risk, and risky assets come cheap.

Arizona hired Rodriguez in November 2011 for $1.5 million. (He makes another $300k from Nike and the Wildcats’ broadcast partner, IMG.) That made him the 10th highest-paid coach in the Pac-12, only ahead of Oregon State’s Mike Riley and Colorado’s now-fired Jon Embree.

In his first season, Rodriguez led Arizona to an 8-5 record and New Mexico Bowl victory, exceeding expectations. Now, it’s time to pay up.

Thursday, Arizona’s Board of Regents approved a raise for Rodriguez of $225,000 per year with an increase of $100,000 in base salary every Dec. 1, and a one-year contract extension through 2017. The new five-year deal will pay Rodriguez an average of $2.25 million per season, not including bonuses.

In the rarified air of college head coach salaries, Rodriquez is still underpaid. Last year, the average salary for a head coach at a BCS conference school was $2,370,959. He made $2.525 million at Michigan in 2010.

With an .610 winning percentage as the head coach of three BCS schools, Rodriguez could easily command a salary of $3 million or more – and he probably will if the Wildcats exceed expectations again next year.